Category: Accesswire

The offering was led by one of the Company’s largest stockholders and several new institutional investors

HESPERIA, CA / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / 5E Advanced Materials, Inc. (“5E” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:FEAM)(ASX:5EA), a development stage company focused on becoming a vertically integrated global leader and supplier of refined borates, advanced boron derivative materials, and critical materials, today announced the closing of its previously announced best efforts public offering of common stock in the United States (the “Offering”). The Offering consisted of 18,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $2.00 per share, for gross proceeds of approximately $36 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other estimated Offering expenses payable by 5E.

Konik Capital Partners, LLC, a division of T.R. Winston & Company, acted as the sole placement agent for the Offering.

5E currently intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering, together with its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, for the operation of its small-scale boron facility (SSBF), wellfield development and finalization of our commercial mine plan, FEED engineering, and general corporate purposes. We believe this financing provides the necessary capital to finalize pending commercial offtake contracts and extends our operational runway through the critical commercialization phase.

The Offering was made pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-292988) that was filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 29, 2026. A final prospectus relating to and describing the final terms of the Offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. The Offering was made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. Electronic copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained from: Konik Capital Partners, LLC, a division of T.R. Winston & Company, 7 World Trade Center, 46th Floor, New York, NY 10007, or e-mail at capmarkets@konikcapitalpartners.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About 5E Advanced Materials, Inc.

5E Advanced Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:FEAM)(ASX:5EA) is focused on becoming a vertically integrated global leader and supplier of boron specialty and advanced materials, complemented by lithium co-product production. The Company’s mission is to become a supplier of these critical materials to industries addressing global decarbonization, food and domestic security. Boron and lithium products will target applications in the fields of electric transportation, clean energy infrastructure, such as solar and wind power, fertilizers, and domestic security. The business strategy and objectives are to develop capabilities ranging from upstream extraction and product sales of boric acid, lithium carbonate and potentially other co-products, to downstream boron advanced material processing and development. The business is based on our large domestic boron and lithium resource, which is located in Southern California and designated as Critical Infrastructure by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding 5E’s intended use of proceeds from the Offering. Any forward-looking statements are based on 5E’s current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to market conditions. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause our actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in 5E’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, its other reports filed with the SEC, as well as in the preliminary prospectus and final prospectus related to the Offering. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based on information available to 5E as of the date hereof and are made only as of the date of this release. 5E undertakes no obligation to update such information except as required under applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing 5E’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. In light of the foregoing, investors are urged not to rely on any forward-looking statement in reaching any conclusion or making any investment decision about any securities of 5E.

For further information contact:

Investor Relations

Brett Maas
Hayden IR, LLC
FEAM@haydenir.com
Ph: +1 (480) 861-2425

Media Relations

Paola Ashton
PRA Communications
team@pracommunications.com
Ph: +1 (604) 681-1407

SOURCE: 5E Advanced Materials, Inc.

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / Prince Silver Corp. (CSE:PRNC)(OTCQB:PRNCF)(Frankfurt:T130) (“Prince Silver”or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that, due to strong investor demand, it has increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”) from $3,000,000 to up to $4,750,000.

The upsizing reflects continued support from existing shareholders and interest from new investors as the Company advances the Prince Silver Project, located in the Pioche Mining District, Nevada.

The Offering consists of units (the “Units”) priced at $0.70 per Unit. Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional common share at a price of $1.00 for a period of two years from the date of issuance, provided that, if the closing price of the company’s common shares for a period of 10 consecutive trading days is $1.40 or higher, the company will have the right to accelerate the expiry date of the warrants upon notice given by press release and the warrants will thereafter expire on the 30th calendar day after the date of such press release, or such later date as may be stated in the news release.

In connection with the upsizing, the Company may issue up to 6,785,714 Units for total gross proceeds of up to $4,750,000, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Proceeds from the Offering are expected to be used to advance the next phase of drilling at the Prince Silver Project, complete a maiden mineral resource estimate, conduct ongoing metallurgical work, and for general working capital purposes.

Finders’ fees may be paid in accordance with applicable securities laws and exchange policies.

About Prince Silver Corp.

Prince Silver Corp. is a silver exploration company advancing its past-producing Prince Silver-Zinc-Manganese-Lead Mine in Nevada, USA. Featuring near-surface mineralization that was historically drill tested by over 129 holes and is open in all directions, the Prince Project offers a clear path toward a maiden 43-101 compliant resource estimate. The Company also holds an interest in the Stampede Gap Project, a district-scale copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry system located 15 km north-northwest of the Prince Silver Project, highlighting Prince Silver’s focus on high-potential, strategically located exploration assets.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Derek Iwanaka, CEO & Director
Tel: 604-928-2797
Email: info@princesilvercorp.com
Website: www.princesilvercorp.com

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as “may”, “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “believe” and “continue” or the negative thereof or similar variations. Some of the specific forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: ongoing and proposed drill programs, amendments to the Company’s website, property option payments and regulatory and corporate approvals. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, dependence on key personnel, completion of satisfactory due diligence in respect of the Acquisition and related transactions, and compliance with property option agreements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, failure to obtain regulatory or corporate approvals, exploration results, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

SOURCE: Prince Silver Corp.

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NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / For years, sustainability has been treated as a narrative exercise. Companies publish targets, regulators issue frameworks, and auditors sign off on methodologies that rely heavily on trust. The problem is not intent. The problem is verification. When sustainability depends on declarations rather than detection, the system invites ambiguity, loopholes, and ultimately disbelief.

That credibility gap is now closing. Not because of better storytelling, but because of better infrastructure. The shift underway is simple but profound. Sustainability is moving away from promises and toward proof. And it’s being made possible through a platform and technology created by SMX (NASDAQ:SMX)

Why Claims No Longer Carry Weight

Most ESG and circularity programs still operate on self-reported data. A supplier claims recycled content. A brand aggregates that claim into a report. A regulator reviews the paperwork. At no point is the material itself asked to verify the story being told about it.

That disconnect has real consequences. It creates regulatory risk, legal exposure, and reputational volatility. It also slows adoption, because investors and policymakers increasingly recognize that unverifiable claims are not a durable foundation for compliance or capital allocation.

As global rules tighten, especially around plastics, waste accountability, and extended producer responsibility, the tolerance for unverifiable sustainability is shrinking fast.

Embedding Identity Into Materials

SMX approaches the problem from a different angle. Instead of tracking documents, it tracks matter.

Its technology embeds molecular-level markers directly into materials such as plastics, rubber, and metals. These markers are invisible, durable, and survive industrial processes including melting, shredding, and recycling. Each batch of material carries a unique physical identity that can be detected and authenticated at any point in its lifecycle.

This matters because it shifts sustainability from a reporting layer to a verification layer. The material itself becomes the evidence.

Every scan generates a data record tied to that physical marker. That record is immutable, auditable, and shareable across manufacturers, recyclers, regulators, and brands. Sustainability stops being an assertion and starts becoming a measurable fact.

From Circularity Theory to Circularity Data

Circular economy frameworks often fail at the moment of measurement. Recycling rates are estimated. Credits are issued based on assumptions. Outcomes are inferred rather than confirmed.

SMX closes that gap by verifying recycled content at the material level. When recycled material is detected and authenticated, it can be registered, counted, and monetized based on reality rather than estimates. This is where the Plastic Cycle Token enters the picture, not as a speculative construct, but as a representation of verified circular activity.

The distinction is critical. Traditional credits reward intention. Verified tokens reward execution. Markets understand the difference immediately.

Infrastructure Beats Voluntary Compliance

In that sense, SMX is not a consumer brand, and it is not a marketing tool. It is infrastructure.

Its customers include manufacturers, recyclers, brands, and public entities that face real compliance obligations. By embedding verification directly into production and recovery processes, SMX aligns sustainability with operational necessity rather than discretionary reporting.

That positioning matters as digital product passports, recycling mandates, and traceability requirements expand across Europe, Asia, and beyond. In regulated environments, proof scales better than persuasion.

Why Investors Are Paying Attention

From an investment perspective, verification reduces uncertainty. It lowers regulatory risk. It tightens auditability. It transforms sustainability from a cost center into a measurable performance layer.

SMX’s model spans proprietary markers, detection systems, enterprise software, and registry services. Each layer creates recurring revenue opportunities tied to usage, compliance, and verification events. Growth is linked to adoption and enforcement, not marketing cycles.

In markets where credibility is increasingly priced, proof becomes an asset.

The End of Sustainability by Assertion

As the world is learning, the sustainability era built on promises is fading. What replaces it will be built on evidence.

SMX is not asking the market to believe. It is giving the market the ability to verify. That distinction changes everything. When materials can speak for themselves, trust stops being subjective and starts being structural.

What SMX is saying comes down to a simple premise: Proof, not promise, is becoming the new currency.

About SMX

As global businesses face new and complex challenges relating to carbon neutrality and meeting new governmental and regional regulations and standards, SMX is able to offer players along the value chain access to its marking, tracking, measuring and digital platform technology to transition more successfully to a low-carbon economy.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include, for example: matters relating to the Company’s fight against abusive and possibly illegal trading tactics against the Company’s stock; successful launch and implementation of SMX’s joint projects with manufacturers and other supply chain participants of steel, rubber and other materials; changes in SMX’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans; SMX’s ability to develop and launch new products and services, including its planned Plastic Cycle Token; SMX’s ability to successfully and efficiently integrate future expansion plans and opportunities; SMX’s ability to grow its business in a cost-effective manner; SMX’s product development timeline and estimated research and development costs; the implementation, market acceptance and success of SMX’s business model; developments and projections relating to SMX’s competitors and industry; and SMX’s approach and goals with respect to technology. These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing views as of any subsequent date, and no obligation is undertaken to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the ability to maintain the listing of the Company’s shares on Nasdaq; changes in applicable laws or regulations; any lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on SMX’s business; the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and identify and realize additional opportunities; the risk of downturns and the possibility of rapid change in the highly competitive industry in which SMX operates; the risk that SMX and its current and future collaborators are unable to successfully develop and commercialize SMX’s products or services, or experience significant delays in doing so; the risk that the Company may never achieve or sustain profitability; the risk that the Company will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; the risk that the Company experiences difficulties in managing its growth and expanding operations; the risk that third-party suppliers and manufacturers are not able to fully and timely meet their obligations; the risk that SMX is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property; the possibility that SMX may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and other risks and uncertainties described in SMX’s filings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SMX GENERAL ENQUIRIES

Email: info@securitymattersltd.com

SOURCE: SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited

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Following Purpose-Built AI Innovations in Legal, Finance and HR, ECLab Brings Domain-Specific Automation to U.S. College Consulting – Replacing Workflows, Not Consultants

DELAWARE CITY, DE / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / ECLab, an education technology startup, today announced the launch of its domain-specific AI platform designed specifically for U.S. college admissions consultants. While industries like legal, finance, and HR have seen transformative purpose-built AI solutions emerge to automate domain-specific workflows, the college admissions consulting space has lacked purpose-built AI – until now.

The platform addresses a critical operational challenge: Consultants spend 60% to 70% of their time on workflow tasks like researching opportunities, scheduling meetings, organizing data, and generating reports, limiting them to serving just 10 to 20 students per year. ECLab’s vertical AI replaces these time-consuming workflows while keeping the consultant firmly in the driver’s seat.

“Just as Harvey provides domain-specific AI for legal work and AlphaSense delivers purpose-built solutions for financial research, we’re bringing domain-specific AI to college consulting,” said Kenny Youn, founder and CEO of ECLab. “We’re not replacing consultants – we’re replacing the 60% to 70% of their workday spent on administrative tasks. Our AI handles the workflow so consultants can focus entirely on what they do best: mentoring students and providing strategic guidance.”

Domain-Specific AI Purpose-Built for U.S. College Consulting

Unlike generic AI tools adapted for college consulting, ECLab is purpose-built from the ground up for the unique workflows and requirements of U.S. college admissions consultants.

The platform combines custom-designed features with professionally vetted data:

• EC Research provides access to a comprehensive, proprietary database of extracurricular opportunities – professionally curated and quality-controlled by admissions experts. Every opportunity is vetted for legitimacy, structured with consistent tagging, and continuously updated, replacing the endless hours consultants spend searching for and verifying programs across thousands of sources.

• Scholarship Search continuously monitors and matches students with relevant scholarship opportunities from a verified database, replacing the time-intensive task of tracking hundreds of funding sources.

• College List analyzes student profiles against thousands of institutions to generate personalized college recommendations, replacing hours of manual research with instant, data-driven matches.

• Meeting Summary automatically captures key discussion points, action items, and student insights from consultations, replacing manual note-taking and report writing with automated documentation.

• Scheduling manages the complex coordination of meetings, reminders, and follow-ups across multiple students and families, eliminating hours of back-and-forth communication each week.

At the center of the platform is Robin AI, an intelligent assistant trained specifically on college admissions workflows. Robin helps consultants navigate complex decision-making processes and generates personalized strategies and recommendations in minutes instead of hours. Importantly, Robin functions as an intelligent assistant, not an autonomous decision-maker – all recommendations require consultant review and judgment, ensuring the human expertise remains central to student guidance.

Why U.S. College Consulting Needs Domain-Specific AI

The U.S. college admissions consulting market serves approximately 2.5 million students annually, with families spending an average of $7,000 per student – though some families pay upwards of $250,000 annually for premium consulting services. However, consultants face a unique operational inefficiency: They are experts in admissions strategy, yet generic productivity tools don’t understand their domain-specific workflows.

This creates a bottleneck. Consultants waste expertise on tasks that don’t require it – manually searching databases, scheduling calls, writing meeting summaries – when they should be analyzing student fit, developing EC strategies, and providing personalized mentorship. The result: limited capacity, limited access, and consultants burning out on administrative work rather than advisory work.

Purpose-built AI solutions have solved similar problems in other industries. Harvey reviews contracts so lawyers can focus on strategy. AlphaSense analyzes portfolios so financial advisors can focus on client relationships. Deel screens candidates so HR teams can focus on culture fit. ECLab brings this same transformation to U.S. college consulting.

Proven Impact: Measurable Time and Revenue Gains

ECLab validated its approach with beta users, demonstrating significant operational improvements. On average, consultants save three to four hours per week on administrative tasks – time that translates to approximately $750 to $1,000 in billable hours at the typical consultant rate of $250 per hour. These time savings scale with student load, enabling consultants to serve 100% more students while reducing administrative workload from the majority to the minority of their time. Revenue tripled over two years as consultants shifted from workflow tasks to high-value strategic advising while maintaining or improving student outcomes.

“Every domain-specific AI solution shares the same goal: automate the routine so experts can focus on expertise,” said Kenny. “In our case, AI handles research, scheduling, and documentation – the workflow. Consultants handle relationships, judgment, and strategy – the consulting. That’s the division of labor that unlocks capacity in U.S. college admissions consulting.”

About ECLab

ECLab is a domain-specific AI platform built specifically for U.S. college admissions consultants. Founded by an industry veteran with over a decade of experience in admissions consulting and a graduate of Stanford and Carnegie Mellon, ECLab’s mission is to democratize access to quality college admissions consulting by providing all consultants with equal access to comprehensive data – from extracurricular opportunities to scholarships and college information – that previously only well-resourced consultants could maintain. By opening up these data resources and automating workflows, ECLab enables consultants of all backgrounds to deliver the same quality of guidance to their students.

Independent college consultants, school counselors, counseling associations, and education platforms interested in using or partnering with ECLab can visit eclab.ai or contact info@eclab.ai for more information.

Media Contact
Kenny Youn
Founder & CEO, ECLab
Email: info@eclab.ai
Website: eclab.ai

SOURCE: ECLab

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / If 2024 was the year of the ETF and 2025 was the year of regulatory friction, the first month of 2026 has sent an undeniable signal: The infrastructure wars are over. The utilization era is here.

At Black Titan, we have come to realize that simply holding digital assets on a balance sheet-the “Passive Treasury” model pioneered in the early 2020s-is insufficient for the next cycle. Our intended Digital Asset Treasury Plus (DAT+) framework will be built on the premise that digital assets are not merely stores of value, but productive working capital.

This week, the global market finally caught up to that thesis.

1. The Validation: Institutional Giants Are Buying the Rails

The most significant news of the week-and perhaps the year-is Capital One’s $5.15 billion acquisition of Brex.

For years, skeptics argued that traditional finance (TradFi) would build its own walled gardens. They were wrong. By acquiring Brex, a platform deeply integrated with crypto-native expense management and stablecoin settlements, Capital One has effectively admitted that hybrid financial rails are the future of corporate banking.

This is not an experiment. When a top-tier U.S. bank spends $5B on fintech infrastructure, they are preparing for a world where corporate treasuries move on-chain. This is the exact future Black Titan positioned itself for with our recent $200 million institutional capital raise. While others are just now buying the software, we are already capitalizing the network.

2. The Green Light: Regulatory Clouds Are Parting

Simultaneously, the regulatory headwinds that once paralyzed institutional participation are turning into tailwinds.

• SEC vs. Gemini: The SEC’s decision this past Friday to drop its lawsuit against Gemini is a watershed moment. It signals a shift from “regulation by enforcement” to “regulation by framework,” specifically de-risking the yield-bearing products that are central to our DAT+ strategy.

• UK Leadership: Across the Atlantic, the UK’s introduction of its new Statutory Instrument for crypto assets creates a clear legal container for stablecoin issuers.

The message is clear: The “risk” is no longer legal ambiguity; the risk is non-participation.

3. The Engine: DAT+ in an Active Economy

This confluence of events creates the perfect storm for our DAT+ Strategy. Unlike legacy models that treat Bitcoin as a pet rock, DAT+ is designed for active utility:

• Liquidity Provision: We don’t just hold tokens; we provide the liquidity that platforms like Brex (and now Capital One) will ultimately need to settle transactions.

• Governance Participation: We don’t just watch protocols; we actively vote and shape the “monetary policy” of the decentralized networks we invest in.

4. The Frontier: The Explosion of “PayFi”

Finally, we are watching the rapid maturation of the Crypto Payments sector, which acts as the “last mile” for our treasury operations. Just this week (Jan 19-25), we saw critical developments:

• Remittix PayFi: Confirmed for a Feb 9 launch, this platform introduces “programmable payments,” allowing automated crypto-to-fiat triggers that traditional banks cannot match.

• Stripe & Crypto.com: The rollout of their instant settlement integration for U.S. merchants proves that the friction between “crypto wallet” and “merchant bank account” has effectively vanished.

The Bottom Line The Capital One deal proves the demand is real. The SEC/UK news proves the road is open. And the payments industry proves the tech works.

Black Titan is no longer just “exploring” this space. With our next entrance into DAT+ framework fully operational, we are not just investing in the future of money-we should actively be generating yield from it.

The future is active. Join

About Black Titan Corp (NASDAQ:BTTC) Black Titan Corp is a recent digital asset technology company focusing on the DAT+ strategy, utilizing its corporate balance sheet to support, govern, and provide liquidity to decentralized protocols. For more information, please visit https://www.blacktitancorp.com/ttdat.html.

Media & Investor Contact

Czhang Lin
Co-Chief Executive Officer
contact-us@blacktitancorp.com

SOURCE: Black Titan Corp

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / Every year, hundreds of billions of dollars flow through venture capital, shaping which ideas get built, which founders get funded, and which futures become real. As artificial intelligence accelerates the pace of company creation, the venture industry is being forced to confront a hard truth: the traditional funnels for identifying exceptional founders are breaking under the weight of scale.

A new type of model, in which Sam Altman is betting on is emerging to meet this moment and it looks nothing like a pitch competition. According to Altman:

“University degrees are IMO status and not substance at this point. I’d much rather see someone’s exceptional work or how they perform at a task.”

The Residency, a founder residency backed by leading operators and investors, is pioneering a new funnel for talent in the AI era: immersive, live-in residencies where founders build companies while living together under one roof.

Rather than optimizing for demos, decks, or short performance windows, The Residency is designed around a first-principles insight: the highest-fidelity signal in venture comes from proximity, time, and lived execution.

“The way we identify exceptional founders hasn’t kept pace with how fast technology is moving,” said Nick Linck, founder of The Residency. “In a world where anyone can spin up a product in weeks, surface-level signals break. We built The Residency to observe real performance over time, and how people build, collaborate, handle setbacks, and earn trust.”

A New Funnel for an AI-Native World

The Residency is a cohort-based accelerator where founders don’t just share calendars – they share lives. Residents live together, build together, and remove the friction of day-to-day logistics so they can reinvest their energy into creation.

The model has struck a nerve.

In the few months alone, The Residency received over 5,000 applications from founders across more than 40 countries, accepting just ~3% into each cohort. Applicants range from first-time builders to repeat founders, many coming from top AI labs, engineering organizations, and prior venture-backed startups.

Residents report reclaiming 20+ hours per week previously spent on cooking, cleaning, and rebuilding social infrastructure – time that gets redirected toward shipping product, recruiting early teams, and pressure-testing ideas in real time.

Why Investors Are Paying Attention

Venture capital has always evolved its structures to improve sourcing, selection, and enablement. From early network-driven investing, to the rise of accelerators like Y Combinator, each era introduced new ways to cut through noise.

Residencies represent the next step.

Accelerators generate signal through weekly updates and demo days, moments when founders are “on.” Residencies generate continuous signal. Living together over months reveals traits that matter most in the long run: resilience, velocity, emotional intelligence, leadership, and peer respect.

In less than two years, companies emerging from residency-style programs have already reached breakout outcomes, including businesses that have scaled from zero to unicorn status. Repeat founders are increasingly opting into live-in environments for their next builds, and established venture firms are beginning to replicate residency-based models of their own.

Building the Future of Incubation

The Residency sits at the intersection of venture, talent, and culture – upstream of capital, but deeply influential over where capital ultimately flows. In others, it serves as the highest-signal environment investors can access.

Either way, the implication is the same: as noise increases, capital gravitates toward environments that produce clarity.

“We’re not trying to replace venture capital,” Linck added. “We’re rebuilding the top of the funnel. The best founders want environments that maximize their odds of success. Investors want better signal. Residencies align both.”

About The Residency

The Residency is a global, founder-first residency program designed to help exceptional builders create the next generation of category-defining companies. By combining immersive living, peer density, and deep operational support, The Residency is redefining how talent is discovered and companies are born in the AI era.

Contact:
519-495-4999
sunday@livetheresidency.com

SOURCE: The Residency

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With the Appointment of Juan M. Sese as CFO, Luminar Media Group – Fortun Continues Strengthening Corporate Governance to Support Capital Markets Strategy and Long-Term Growth

MIAMI, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / Luminar Media Group, Inc. (OTCID:LRGR) (“Luminar” or the “Company”), a fintech-focused holding company and the parent of the Fortun family of subsidiaries, today announced the appointment of Juan M. Sese as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

“Juan has been an early believer in Fortun’s vision and has played a key role in instilling the financial discipline that supports our growth,” said Yoel Damas, President of Luminar Media Group, Inc. “From the earliest days – when Fortun Advance was still an idea – Juan has been hands-on, helping build the reporting, controls, and analytical framework that now underpin our platform. As we continue to strengthen our corporate governance and prepare for the next phase of growth, his transition from Vice President of Finance at Fortun Advance to Chief Financial Officer at the corporate level brings continuity, rigor, and experienced leadership at exactly the right time.”

Mr. Sese brings more than 25 years of experience across finance, strategy, and corporate development. He began his career at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, where he advised affluent individuals and institutional clients throughout Latin America. He has developed a strong track record in business strategy, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on logistics, distribution, and land development in South Florida. Mr. Sese earned his MBA in Business and Finance from University of Miami and has held multiple financial licenses, including Series 3, 7, 24, 31, and 65. He is also a lifetime member of Beta Kappa Sigma.

“Fortun isn’t just a strong operating model – it’s a disciplined, data-driven platform that can scale responsibly,” said Mr. Sese. “What stood out to me from day one was the combination of real demand from underserved small businesses, a team that executes, and a culture that respects risk. As CFO, my focus will be on strengthening reporting and controls, optimizing capital and liquidity, and helping ensure that growth translates into durable cash flow and long-term shareholder value. I’m honored to step into this role at such an important stage in the Company’s evolution.”

About Luminar Media Group, Inc.

Luminar Media Group, Inc. (OTC:LRGR), through its subsidiaries operating under the Fortun brand (FortunCo, LLC; Fortun Advance, LLC; Fortun Funding, LLC; Fortun Online, LLC and affiliates), provides revenue-based financing solutions primarily to small and medium-sized businesses across the United States. The Company’s mission is to empower underserved entrepreneurs – particularly within Latino and minority business communities – by offering accessible, transparent, and data-driven capital alternatives. Fortun’s technology-enabled platform evaluates ACH activity, sales data, and other financial indicators to deliver rapid funding decisions and support sustainable growth.

For more information: www.fortunco.com.

CONTACT:
Hayden IR
James Carbonara
(646) 755-7412
james@haydenir.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s expectations with respect to the role, responsibilities, and anticipated contributions of its Chief Financial Officer; the impact of management changes on the Company’s financial reporting, internal controls, strategic planning, and operational execution; and the Company’s future operating performance, objectives, and growth strategies. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions, including assumptions regarding the Company’s business plans, market conditions, regulatory environment, availability of capital, and the Company’s ability to execute its strategy and attract and retain qualified personnel. These assumptions may prove to be incorrect, and there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties, including, among others: changes in general economic, financial, regulatory, or competitive conditions; risks associated with management transitions; the Company’s ability to implement and maintain effective internal controls and financial reporting processes; the Company’s ability to execute its business strategy; and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s filings and disclosures. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

SOURCE: Luminar Media Group, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire